Method of and apparatus for continuous casting.



G. MELLEN.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUS CASTING.

APPLICATION HLED MAY :6, I914.

1,139,885. Patented May18,1915.

6 SHEETS-SHEET I.

G. MELLEN.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUS CASTING.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 16, 1514.

1, 1 39,885. Patented May 18, 1915.

a Q a Q N a it n a 2 2 all: \*\m u g a) 1 "i Q 0 n q a 0 l\ E 3 O 3 fi a k'i 1 R Patented May 18, 1915.

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G. MELLEN.

METHOD or AND APPARATUS FOR commuous CASTING.

APPL'CATIUN FILED MAY 16, 1514. 1,139,885.

anon 11oz K rsw i G. MELLEN.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUS CASTING.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 16. 1914.

1, 139, 885. Patented May 18, 1915.

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grvumatoz witnesses :1 a! C? 2a a Z 52 v/ W MQMM G. MELLEN. mnnoo or AND APPARATUS ma commuous CASTING. APPLICATION FILED MAY I6, 1914. 1,139,885, Patented May 18, 1915.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

G. MELLEN. METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUS CASTING.

APPLICATION FILED MAY '6. I914.

Patented May 18, 1915,

6 SHEETSSHEE16.

F/EE:

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GRENVILLE MELLEN, OF EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO CONTINUOUS CASTING CORPORATION, OF RICHMOND, VIRGINIA, A CORPORATION OF VIB- GINIA.

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR CONTINUOUS CASTING.

Specification 01' Letters Patent.

Patented May 18, 1915.

Application filed May 16, 1914. Serial No. 839,045.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GRENVILLE MELLEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at East Orange, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Im rovements in Methods of and Apparatus or Continuous Casting, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in machines for casting fused metals or alloys in continuous lengths by means of a continuously movin series of mold-sections, and has for its 0 ject to produce a machine of this type in which continuous rods or bars of any desired cross-section can be practically and economically produced.

My invention further relates to means for efl'ectively delivering the molten material to the molds; to means for so controlling the movements of the mold-sections that a formed rod or bar is produced; to means for maintaining the molds at the proper temperature; to improvements in the moldsections themselves and in the mechanism for propelling them; to means for permitting expansion and contraction of the chains of molds under varying conditions of temperature; and, in general, to improvements in the arrangement and construction of this type of machine as a whole.

My invention further relates to an improvement in the method of continuous casting which consists in casting the material into a continuously moving upper and lower series of mold-sections, causing or ermitting it to remain in the inclosin mo (1 only until it has congealed sufficient y to retain its given shape, and then causing or permitting the shaped length of material to solidify while amply supported in its further movement.

Other objects of the invention will appear from the specification and claims.

My invention will be understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of one end of the molding-machine, and of the furnace showing parts in elevation; Fig. 2 is a section of the molding-machine on the line IIII of Fig. 1, showing parts in elevation, and a side elevation of the furnace; Fig. 3

is a side elevation of the molding-machine and furnace; Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the furnace, blower, and gear-casing; Fig,

5 is a top plan view of the molding-machine and furnace; Figs. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 are views, in section and elevation, of diflerent forms of feed tubes; Fig. 12 is a view showing different parallel positions of coiiperating mold-sections on the inclined tongues as they approach union; Fig. 13 is a view showing a completed mold in the machine, and the inclined tongues; Fig. 14 is a view, partly in elevation, partly in section, showing the molds on the sprockets, and a supporting frame partly broken away; Fig. 15 is a horizontal, longitudinal half-section showing the molds on the inclined guides and lower sprockets below plane XVXV of Fig. 14; Fig. 16 is a top, partial plan view of Fig. 14, showing the upper run of molds turning around on the sprocket; Fig. 17 is a side elevation of the far end of the top frame, showing the guides in which the mold reverses its direction; Fig. 18 is a view on the plane XVIII of Fig. 17 showing a sprocket and inner end guide; Fig. 19 is a view on the plane XIX of Fig. 17, showing the air-supply conduit; Fig. 20 is a partial section of a modified four-part mold, showing supports and water-cooled guides; and Figs. 21, 22, and 23 are views of a modification in which the mold-sections consists of relatively thin plates mounted on endless s rings; and Fig. 24 is a sectional elevation of the casting-pot extension, on a larger scale.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, 1 is a suitable bed-plate, upon which is supported a movable furnace2, mounted upon wheels 3, 4, running on tracks 5, 6. The furnace 2, which may be moved to and from the molds by the hand-wheel 7, has a fire-box 8, lined with suitable fire-brick 9, and a grate 10, below which is the ashit 11. The furnace structure supports a Jacket or casing 12, covered by a dished cover 13, perforated at 14. Within the jacket .2 and supported upon adjustable screws 16, is a casting-pot 15, into which is poured the molten metal to be subsequently cast. The cover 13 serves as a funnel for molten metal; and as a shelf for solid low-melting metals, such as lead, etc., the heat from the furnace 2 generally being suflicient tomelt and maintain melted such low-melting metals. The products of combustion from the furnace 2 pass through the annular space 17 1 between the jacket and casting-pot, under the cover 13 and through the opening 14 to any suitable draft-flue, not shown; the shape of the cover 13 serving to deflect heat down into the casting-pot and onto the surface of the molten metal, and to maintain a deoxidizing atmosphere in contact therewith.

Connected to the bottom of the castingpot 15 is an extension 18 covered by the disk valve-seat 19, the extension having an outlet tube 20, arranged to be closed by a valve 21. Within the extension 18 is a suitable guide 22, through which passes the rod 23 carrying an ad ustable float 24 and valveplug 25, which latter cotiperates with the valve-seat in the disk 19 to control the supply of molten metal passing into the extension 18.

The guide 22 is so constructed as to act as a guard for preventing the molten metal from striking directly on the float 24. At its upper end, the rod 23 is supported by knifeedges 26 on the balance-arm 27, the balancearm in its turn being supported on knifeedges 28, and carrying the adjustable counterpoise 29. The float 24 may be of iron or any suitable material and may be either solid or hollow. The float 24 and counterise 29 are each adjustable, and are adusted to automatically supply metal from the casting-pot 15 to the extension 18 as fast as it is used, keepin a predetermined quantity of metal 31 in t e extension 18 to operate the float, and thereby maintain a uniform head or pressure of metal in the extension. The casting-pot 15 is heated by the furnace 2, which is blown by blower 30, preferably electrically driven. he furnace is automatically centered horizontally with respect to the molding-machine by the V- shaped wheels 3, 3, and rail 5, shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The casting-pot 15 is vertically centered with respect to the moldingmachine by the adjusting screws 16 which pass through the casing 12, as shown, and permit an elevation or lowering of the casting-pot 15 and its outlet 20 to allow for differences of expansion and contraction between the furnace and the molding-machine.

As seen in Figs. 1 and 7, the extremity of outlet 20 contains a cavity or socket 33, closed by a bushing 34; the lower side of bushing and outlet being slotted, as at 36, as hereafter described. Passing through the hole in the bushing is a feeding-tube 37, having an enlarged ball-shaped end 38, forming a ball-and-socket joint with the cavity 33 in the outlet 20. The tube 37 (Fig. 6) has a thin wall 39, to prevent the absorption of much heat from the molten metal passing therethrough, and has as large an internal diameter as the surroundings permit in order to have a large storage capacity of molten metal as near as possible to the point of consumption. The tube 37 has an outlet pipe 40, also of thin wall, projecting into the molding-machine, shown in Fig. 8, and. a spaced acket 41 projecting backward from the end along the tube 40 and terminating in a flange or sphericalshaped enlar ement 42, which coiiperates with the wafis of the traveling molds to form a ball-joint, permitting oscillation between the feed-tube and mold. The tubes 37-40 may be one-piece or joined, and should be as short as possible. The acket 41 is spaced from the tube 40, as shown, to provide a heat-insulating air-space 43, thereby preventing loss of heat and the chilling of molten metal in the end of tube 40. The outer diameter of the jacket 41 is also less than that of the traveling molds, thereby providing a space 44 between the jacket 41 and the mold for heat-insulating purposes, and also to allow room for oscillation of the end of the tube, if necessary, on the ball-, joint 42. The space 44 further serves to chill and solidify any metal, before it reaches the ball-joint, that may leak backward therein due to a stopping or clogging of the. travelin molds; the length of the jacket 41, and t erefore of the air-space 44, should be varied with the metal to be molded, so as to provide ample room for chilling any metal that may leak, as above noted; although when operating properly, such leaks do not occur. Should it be desired to drain the casting-pot of its contents, the furnace is rolled back on the tracks, drawing the feeding-tube 37 with it; as the latter leaves the molding-machine, the feed-tube falls down below horizontal, in the slot 36, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 7, the metal in the casting-pot or extension 18 draining through the feeding-tube into any suitable receptacle. The casting-pot 15 and extension 18 may also be drained by opening the plug 18' at the bottom of the extension, in the event of an accident to the outlet 20.

In the modification shown in Fig. 9, the feed-tube 135 has an expanded, or spun bulb 136, which makes a ball-joint connection with the traveling molds. In the modification shown in Figs. 10 and 11, the tube 137 has a dished ring 138 suitably secured thereto, which serves to make a balljoint with the mold. At the furnace end of the feed tube is the enlargement 139, which is secured within the socket 140 by the nut 141, the socket 140 being secured to any suitable furnace 142 from which molten metal may be supplied through the channel 143.

The molding-machine consists of two or more coiiperating traveling molds 45 (Fig. 1) consisting of separate mold-sections 46, preferably loosely linked together, and each having a segment of a mold on its workingface, the working-faces of the cotiperating molds uniting to form a complete mold.

The mold-sections 46 are mounted on transverse shafts 47, 48, carryin pairs of rollers 49, 50, on each side, Fig. 1 and united by the loose links 93, having holes 94 larger than the shaft-ends, the molds being propelled or pushed by the sprocket-wheels 51, 52, Fig. 1, which press against the forward rollers 49 on each side of the mold-section. The sprocket-Wheels are mounted on shafts 53, 54 (Figs. 1, 2 and 14), which are driven by worm-gears inclosed in the casing 55; the worm-gears being driven by a central worm mounted on shaft 56, driven from any suitable source of power. The shafts 53, 54, are coupled to the Worm-gear shafts by means of flange-couplings 57, Fig. 2, through any well known type of break-down pins 58, strong enough to do the required amount of work, any excess strain, as for example, due to a blocking of the machine, shearing the pins and saving the machine from accident. When this happens, the broken pins are readily removed and new ones' inserted.

The molding-machine proper is inclosed in a frame 59, Figs. 2, 3, 5, one end of' which is supported by and secured to the bed-plate 1, the remainder supported in a horizontal position by suitable uprights 60, Fig. 3. The frame 59 (Fig. 2) consists of channel-bars 61, 62, 63, 64', mounted so as to form upper and lower casings 65, 66, which serve as air-ducts for cooling the traveling mold-sections 46 on their return circuit. On the upper part of upper casing 65 are secured angle-irons 67, 68; and on the lower part of lower casing 66 are secured similar angle-irons 69, 70, which serve as guides and tracks for the returning half of the molds. On the lower part of the upper casing are angle-irons 71, 72, which serve as side-brackets for the upper adjustable spring-pressed water-cooled guide-sections 73, Figs. 1, 2, 13 and 14, a similarcontinuous water-cooled guide 74 being secured to a plate 74 (Fig. 2), fastened to and closing the two lower channel-bars 63, 64, constituting the casing 66. The upper guide 73 is preferably made in several spring-pressed sections, Fig. 1, butting a ainst each other end on, and supplied wit water through suitable flexible tubing, not shown. Secured to one side of each casing 65, 66, are hinged plates 75, shown in Figs. 2 and 3, carried by and supported by the side posts of the frame and the. rigid side-guide 76, against which latter the traveling chain molds are pressed by the adjustable springpressed sectionalguides 77 supported by the rods 81., 2. The reason for making upper guides 73 and side guides 77 in sections, and spring-pressed, is to permit any accidental obstruction on the sides of the mold-sections 46 to pass without casing excessive resistance, and also to avoid removing the pressure of the guides from a considerable length of molds as would be the case if the entire guide was lifted. The springs 78 are identical in structure and operation, access to which may be had through covered openings 110 in frame 59 (Fig. 3), the tension being controlled by the adjustment of the nut 79, the nut 80 controlling the extent of movement of the rod 81. The yokes 82 serve to retain the casing 65, 66, in place, and also to support the springs for the side-guides 77. The socket 83 serves to hold the spring for the upper guide 73 in place.

At each end of the casings 65, 66, are endplates 84, 85, Fig. 1, closing the openings and forming box-like casings into which is blown a blast of air from the blower 86, Fig. 3, or from any other source, through the housing 87, Fig. 19. The compressed air leaks out through the gaps 88, 89, 90, Fig. 2, cooling off the mold-sections, and also finding its way through the spaces, Fig. 1, between the successive mold-sections on their return circuit, due to the loosely-linked mold-sections separating by the pulling of the sprocket wheels, thereby blowing off any metallic dust that may adhere to any part of the mold-sections after separating from the molded rod.

The molds shown are for making a round rod, (Figs. 2 and 13) but it is obvious that other shapes could also be produced with properly designed 1noldsections. As noted above, the separate mold-sections 46 are mounted on transverse shafts 47, 48, each carrying rollers 49, 50. The shaft 47 is at the forward end of the mold-section and carries the rollers 49, Fig. 13, having their larger diameters next to the body of the mold-section; the shaft 48 is at the rear end of the mold section, and carries the rollers 50, having their smaller diameters 92 next to the body of the mold-section. The successive mold-sections are preferably joined by the loose links 93, having slots or eyes 94 larger than the shafts on which they are mounted, as above noted. The molds pass between pairs of sprocket-wheels 51, 52, 52' (only one of the sprocket-wheels being shown, in Figs. 1 and 14), the sprocketteetli passing between the rollers on each side of a mold, and pressing against the larger portions of the forward rollers. Surrounding the outer portions of the upper and lower sprocket-wheels are curved guides 95, 96, (Fig. 13) which press against the rollers, keeping the molds in place on the sprockets; and on the side supports 97, 98, of the machine are secured curved inside end-guides 99, 100, Fig. 14, the function of which is to support from within the travel ing molds, and coiiperate with the concentric, curved guides 95, 96, to furnish channels around the ends of the machine and in which the molds travel.

On the central projections 101, 102, of the curved guides 95, 96, are secured the spaced.

Wedge-shaped hardened steel tongues 103, 104, Figs. 13 and 14, on the inside and outside, respectively, of. guide 95, and 105, 106 on the inside and outside, respectively, of guide 96. The inside tongues 103 and 105 project farther in the direction of travel of the molds than the outside tongues 104, 106, and all have their inclined, upper and lower workin -surfaces cut on the same angle from the horizontal, with all upper, inclined surfaces parallel, and all lower, inclined surfaces also parallel, (see Fig. 12) the tongues 103 and 105 projecting the same distance forward have their similarly inclined surfaces in the same plane, and support the larger portions of the forward rollers 49 of the mold-sections; while the outside tongues 104 and 106 are placed behind and spaced from the forward tongues, have their similarly inclined surfaces in the same plane, and support the larger portions of the rear rollers 50.

As shown in Fig. 12, points in a. horizontal plane on the rear tongues 10,4, 106, are spaced behind points in this plane on the forward tongues 103, 105, a distance ual to that between the centers of shafts 47, 48, passing through the mold-sections 46; the body of a mold-section traveling on the upper, inclined surfaces of the tongues would therefore be horizontal, since its rollers rest on points which are in a. horizontal plane.

Since the lower inclined surfaces of the tongues are the counterpart in every particular of their upper, inclined surfaces, the body of a cooperating mold-section of the lower mold will also be horizontal when traveling against the inclined tongues. This arrangement brings the cooperating moldsections of the traveling molds into parallel relation before they leave the sprockets, and as they proceed on the inclined tongues, the mold sections gradually approach and finally contact with each other, forming a metal-sealing joint with each other, while maintaining their parallel relation. -This arrangement further prevents the contacting faces of cooperating mold-sections from digging into each other, since the contacting or working surfaces of the molds approach each other while in parallel planes. The hole or opening 107 in the united moldsection, Fig. 13, is also completed in its true shape at the first contact of the cooperating sections. After leaving the tongues, the completed mold sections travel between the guides 73, 74, and 76, 77, above described. The outlet 40 of the feed-tube 37 contacts with and discharges metal into the mold after the completed mold is firmly embraced by the guides 73, 74, 76, 77, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

At the ends 108, 109, Fig. 3, of the machine are wedge-shaped tongues, one of which, 105, is shown in Fig. 18, similar in structure and function to tongues 103, 104, 105, 106, and raise and lower respectively the traveling mold-sections in parallel planes from the molded rod; thereby avoiding marring the surface of the finished rod, and avoiding any friction due to the moldsections pressing or digging into each other as they turn on the return circuit. The molds are pushed by the s rocket-wheels 51, 52, between the guides 3, 74, 76, 77, thereby insuring tight joints between the several mold-sections; and pulled on their outer or return circuit, thereby separating the mold-sections as provided for by the loose links, Fig. 1.

As shown in Figs. 3, 17, and 18, the upper mold turns within the guides 119, 120, on its return course, the guides secured to the braces 118. The frame 130 supports the ways 121, 122, Fig. 17, between which travels the journal-box 123, supporting the shaft 124, which carries the sprocket 12:) (Fig. 18), around which the upper mold turns. Durin use, the molds become heated and expan the sprocket-wheel 125 and its supporting journal 123 travel backward, that is, in the direction of travel of the molded rod, in the ways 121, 122, thereby automatically adjusting themselves to the variable length of the sectional mold due to its expansion; on contraction, the sprocket and its journal travel forward" 100 as required.

The entire length of the lower series of molds is preferably greater than that of the upper series. When molding pure metals, such as copper, aluminum, etc., the length 105 of the upper mold is determined by the speed of the molds, and the rate of cooling of the molded rod; it is important that the upper molds be lifted from the molded rod as soon as the metal has acquired a suitable 11o consistency, by which is meant that the metal must have congealed to a point at which its shape can no longer be altered by pressure from liquid metal behind it. If allowed to remain in contact with the bar 15 until it has cooled solid, the bar may crack, because of contraction strains, but the lifting of the upper mold-section before complete solidification overcomes this 'difficulty. The lower mold, after the separation of the 0 upper mold, simply serves as a conveyer. With alloys, such as solder, etc., the cracking liable to occur with pure metals, does not occur even when the molds remain in contact with the bar until solidification.

In Fig. 20, a modified four-part moldingmachine is shown, partly in section, the mold-sections 246 supported in springpressed water-cooled guides 273, 274, and rigid water-cooled guides 275, 276; the 130 springs 278 serving the same function as springs 78, in Figs. 1 and 2.

In Figs. 21, 22, and 23, are shown still further modifications of the molding-machine, in which the mold-sections (Fig. 23) consist of comparatively thin plates 300, the alternate plates being notched to afford spaces 301, to engage coiiperating teeth 302 of a sprocket-wheel, Fig. 22. The moldsections 300 are mounted on flexible elastic members, such as coiled springs, 303, which permit free turning over the sprockets, as shown in Fig. 21. The completed molds travel in a mold-bed 305, supported b the channel-bars 307, and are pressed'firml y by the water-cooled guides 313, 374. Molten metal is supplied from the furnace 310 through feed-tube 337 to the completed mold 335.

The water-cooled guide 373 is provided with a tongue 315, which removes the upper molds from the sprockets, and presses them firmly against the lower series; the support 305 is provided with a similar tongue 316, and serves a like purpose. Supporting plates 320, 321, mounted on the channelbars, and guides 322, 323, 324, 325, provide channels in which the molds travel on their return circuits.

The operation of the molding is conducted as follows :The feed-tube is preferably heated by any suitable means before allowing molten metal to flow through it; the molds are now set in motion, although they could be started simultaneously with, or immediately. after, supplying the molten metal thereto. Molten metal from the casting-pot is now supplied to the feed-tube, from which it enters the molds. The temperature at which the molten metal enters the molds should be as near as practicable to its melting-point, in order to avoid needless heating of the molds. With lowmelting alloys, as for example solder, the upper mold-series may be of any length in excess of that necessary to contain the metal until setting. When molding pure metals, such ascopper and alumlnum, the molding-len h (by which term is meant the length 0 mold in contact with the molten metal) of the upper mold-series will be adjusted according to the speed of the molds and the metal to be molded.

As soon as the surface of the metal in contact with the mold has congealed sufiiciently to make the rod or other article self-sustaining, the rod is released from the molds by lifting away the upper run of mold-sections and permitting the rod to further solidify while supported by the lower run of moldsections. In this manner, is entirely obviated the tendency of the rod to crack, because of shrinking strains produced when a cooling rod is held during a considerable portion of its length in the grip of the molds. The functions of the upper and lower molds areas follows:The upper molds serve to limit the inflow of metal and to define its shape; the lower molds have these functions and also serve as a conveyer to support the liquid .and congealed metal undisturbed until it cools sufliciently to be removed therefrom. The flow of cooling water through the guides enables the rate of cooling of the cast metal to be readily controlled, while the air cooling of the casing provides an additional means for cooling the mold sections. The rods as delivered from the machine may still be hot enough, especially with metals or alloys of higher fusingpoint, to permit, if desired, of their immediate subjection, without reheating, to further treatment, such as drawing or rolling. It will be obvious that by my machine, rods, bars or shapes of any cross-section may be made, as long as such section permits of separation of the two sets of mold-sections.

While I have described the use of a closed tube as the means of delivering molten metal to the mold, any other suitable form of con-- duit might be used.

1 claim:

1. In a casting machine, a mold, a feedconduit, and means providing an oscillatable joint between said feed-conduit and mold.

2. In a casting machine, a mold, a feedconduit, means providing an oscillatable joint between said feed-conduit and mold, and means providing an air-space between the feed-conduit and mold.

3. In a casting machine, a mold, a feedconduit projecting into said mold, means extending from the discharge end of said feedconduit to support said feed-conduit in said mold, said means providing air spaces between it and the feed-conduit, and between it and the mold.

4. In a casting machine, a mold, a feedconduit of thin wall projecting into said mold, spaced means extending from the discharge end of said feed-conduit to support said feed-conduit, said means contacting with said mold to form an oscillatable joint therewith.

5. In a casting machine, a plurality of mold-sections, and a feed-conduit, said feedconduit contacting with said mold-sections with an oscillatable joint.

6. In a casting machine, a plurality of mold-sections, a feed-conduit, said feed-conduit contacting with said mold-sections with an oscillatable joint, and means to prevent rapid cooling of said feed-conduit by said mold-sections.

7. In a continuous casting machine, a plurality of traveling molds comprising mold sections and means to place cooperating mold sections in metal-sealing engagement with each other, a feed-conduit projecting into the mold formed by said engaged sections, and means providing an oscillatable supporting contact between the feed conduit and the mold.

8. In a continuous casting machine, a phlrality of traveling molds comprising mold sections and means to place cooperating mold sections in metal-sealing engagement with each other, a specially supported feedconduit projecting into the mold formed by said engaged sections, and means providing an oscillatable supporting contact between the feed conduit and the mold.

9. In a continuous casting machine, a plurality of traveling coiiperating molds comprising mold-sections, means to place cooperating mold-sections in metal-sealing engagement with each other, a feed-conduit, and a support to maintain the discharge end of said feed-conduit in spaced relation to said mold.

10. In a continuous casting machine, a plurality of traveling cooperating molds comprising mold-sections, means to place c0- operating moldssections in metal-sealing engagement with each other, a feed-conduit, and a support to maintain the discharge end of said feed-conduit in spaced relation to said mold, said support providing a narrow air-space between it and the mold.

11. In a continuous casting machine, a plurality of traveling coiiperating molds comprising mold-sections, means to place cooperating mold-sections in metal-sealing engagement with each other, a feed-conduit, a spaced concentric jacket secured to the end of said feed-conduit and providing a support for said feed-conduit, said jacket spaced from said mold whereby any leaking metal is chilled by the cooling action of said jacket and molds.

12. In a continuous casting machine, a casting-pot, a discharge therefrom, a universally joined feed-conduit projecting from said discharge, a mold, and means providing a universally oscillatable seal between said feed-conduit and mold.

13. In a continuous molding machine, a casting-pot, a discharge therefrom, a plurality of coiiperating traveling molds, a feed-conduit universally joined to said discharge and molds, and means to center said discharge with respect to said molds.

14. In a continuousmolding machine, a casting-pot, a discharge therefrom, a plurality of coo crating traveling molds, a feedconduit jomed to said discharge and molds, and means to center said discharge with respect to said molds.

15. In a continuous molding machine, a plurality of traveling mold sections fitting together to form a continuous mold, means to propel said mold-sections, means to hold said mold-sections in metal-sealing engagement during a part of their travel, and

means to cool said mold-sections while in engagement.

16. In a continuous casting machine, a plurality of traveling mold sections fitting together to form a continuous mold, means to place coiiperating mold-sections in parallel relation to each other, means to advance said coiiperating parallel mold-sections toward each other in parallel planes, and means to hold said cooperating mold-sections in metal-sealing engagement.

17. In a continuous casting machine, a plurality of traveling mold sections fitting together to form a continuous mold, means to place coiiperating mold-sections in parallel relation to each other while still separated, means to join said parallel moldsections in metal-sealing engagement, and means to supply molten metal to said engaged mold-sections.

18. In a continuous casting machine, a plurality of traveling mold sections fitting together to form a continuous mold, means to propel said molds, inclined guides to place cooperating mold-sections in parallel relation before engagement, and spaced means on said mold-sections to cooperate with said guides.

19. In a continuous casting machine, a plurality of traveling mold sections fitting together to form a continuous mold, driving means therefor, fixed inclined surfaces cooperating with said mold-sections to place one set of mold-sections in arallel relation with cooperating mold-sectlons, and means to unite said parallel mold-sections in metalsealin engagement.

20. n a continuous casting machine, a plurality of traveling mold sections fitting together to form a continuous mold, means to propel said molds, means to place said cooperating mold-sections in parallel relation, means to join the parallel molds, and means to separate one set of mold-sections in parallel planes from the cooperating mold-sections.

21. In a continuous casting machine, a plurality of traveling mold sections fitting together to form a continuous mold, means to place the coopgrating mold-sections in parallel relation fore engagement, means to advance the parallel mold-sections in parallel planes until their surfaces are in metalsealing engagement, and means to separate said cooperating mold-sections in parallel planes.

22. In a continuous casting machine, a. plurality of traveling mold sections fitting together to form a continuous mold, means to place the coii rating mold-sections in parallel relation fore engagement, means to advance the parallel mold-sections in parallel planes until their surfaces are in metalsealing eng ment, means to supply molten metal to sai engaged mold-sections, means to cool the molds, means to separate the mold-sections in parallel planes, and means to clean the mold sections.

23. In a continuous casting machine, a plurality of traveling mold sections fitting together to form a continuous mold, means to place the cooperating mold-sections in parallel relation before engagement, means to advance the parallel mold-sections in parallel planes until their surfaces are in metalsealing engagement, means to supply molten metal to said engaged mold-sections, means to cool the molds, and means to separate the mold-sections in parallel planes.

24. In a continuous casting machine, a plurality of traveling cooperating molds comprising mold-sections, a guide for said mold sections comprising a series of separate hollow chambers and means for cooling said chambers.

25. In a continuous casting machine, a plurality of traveling cooperating mol comprising mold-sections, a guide for sai mold-sections comprising a series of cooled surfaces engaging the mold-sections, and means for applying spring pressure to said surfaces.

26. In a casting machine, a frame, arallel guides running through said ame, means to cool some of said guides, and means to exert pressure upon said guides.

27. In a casting machine, a frame, parallel guides running through said frame, means to cool some of said guides, air-ducts, and means permitting air to blow from said ducts on portions of said frame and guides.

28. In a casting machine, a. frame, a plurality of mold-sections, guides in said frame to support said mold-sections, means to supply molten metal to said mold-sections, means to cool said mold-sections, means to se arate said mold-sections from said metal a er cooling, air-ducts, and means to deliver air from said air-ducts to said moldsections.

29. In a casting machine, a frame, sprocket-wheels supported thereby, guides in proximity to said sprocket-wheels and substantially concentric to portions thereof, and inclined guides projecting a distance into said frame in proximity to said sprocket-wheels.

30. A mold-section having'at each end a laterally extending shaft, rollers of difierent diameters on said shafts, the rollers at one end of the section having their larger-diameter portions on the outer ends of the shaft, and the rollers at the other end of the section having their smaller-diameter portions at the outer ends of the shaft.

31. In a continuous casting machine, a casting-pot, means to automatically deliver molten metal in predetermined quantities from said casting-pot, a feed-conduit, a plurality of cooperating mold-sections arranged to travel and form a continuous mold, said feed-conduit delivering molten metal from said casting-pot to said formed traveling mold.

32. In a continuous casting machine, a casting-pot having means for heating the same, means to discharge metal therefrom, means to support said casting-pot, a mold, and means to adjust said casting-pot to center the discharge with respect to said mold. 33.- In a continuous casting-machine, a casting-pot, a movable support therefor, a mold, and cooperating centering wheels and rail to automatically center said movable support and casting-pot with respect to said mold.

34;. In a continuous casting machine, a plurality of traveling mold-sections fitting together to form acontinuous mold, and a guide for said mold sections comprising a series f spring-pressed ections.

35. n a continuous casting machine, an endless chain of travelingmold sections fitting together to form a continuous mold, sprockets at each end over which the chain passes, one of said sprockets being freely mounted in sliding bearings, whereby expension and contraction of the chain of molds is provided for.

36. In a continuous casting machine, an endless series of traveling mold sections fitting together to form a continuous mold, sprockets at each end over which the series passes, one of said sprockets having powerdriving means and arranged to push the mold-sections during their forward movement.

37. The method of casting metal in long lengths which consists in delivering the molten metal to a traveling series of cooperating mold-sections, artificially cooling the metal while within the traveling mold until its outer surface has congealed, and then disengaging the mold-sections.

38. The method of casting metal in long lengths which consists in delivering the molten metal to a traveling series of cooperating mold-sections, cooling the metal while within the traveling mold until its outer surface has congealed, then disengaging the mold-sections, and permitting the formed length to continue its movement while supported, until the metal has sufliciently set.

39. The method of casting metal in long lengths which consists in delivering the molten metal to a traveling series of cooperating mold-sections, cooling the metal while within the traveling mold, then disengaging the mold-sections, and permitting the formed length to continue its movement while supported, until the metal has sufliciently set.

40. In combination with a machine for casting continuous lengths of metal and comprising a plurality of mold sections arranged to travel and cooperating to form a continuous mold, a receptacle for molten metal, means for delivering molten metal from the receptacle to the mold, and means for maintaining constant the hydraulic head under which the metal is delivered.

41. In combination with a machine for casting continuous lengths of metal and comprising a plurality ofmold sections arranged to travel and cooperating to form a continuous mold, a receptacle for molten metal, means for delivering molten metal from the receptacle to the mold, and automatic means for maintaining constant the hydraulic head under which the metal is delivered.

42. In combination with a machine for casting continuous lengths of metal and comprising a plurality of mold sections arranged to travel and cooperating to form a continuous mold, a receptacle for molten metal, means for delivering molten metal from the receptacle to themold, and means for regulating the hydraulic head under which the metal is delivered.

43. In combination with a machine for casting continuous lengths of metal and c0mprising a plurality of mold sections arranged to travel and cooperating to form a continuous mold, a receptacle for molten metal, means for delivering molten metal from the receptacle to the mold, and means for adjusting and maintaining the hydraulic head under whichthe metal is delivered.

44. In a casting machine, the combination with an upper and a lower seriesv of traveling mold sections fitting together to form a continuous mold and means for continuously propelling saidmold sections, of a movable receptacle for molten metal, and a closed conduit secured to said receptacle and arranged to deliver molten metal into and within the mold cavity.

45. In a casting machine, the combination with an upper and a lower series of traveling mold sections fitting together to form a continuous mold and means for continuously propelling said mold sections, of a movable receptacle for molten metal, a closed conduit secured to said receptacle and arranged to deliver molten metal into and within the mold cavity, and means to adjust said receptacle to enable the discharge end of the delivery conduit to register with the mold cavity.

4-6. In a continuous casting machine, the combination with two series of traveling mold sections fitting together to form a continuous mold and means for propelling said mold sections, of a rigid guide arranged to bear against the backs of one" series of mold sections, aresilient guide arranged to bear against the backs of theother series of mold sections, a rigid guide arranged to bear against one side of the continuous mold and a resilient guide arranged to bear against the other side of the continuous mold.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

J. H. 'BRICKENBTEIN, J. H. Smears.

DISCLAIMER- 1,139,885.-G1 -enviZZe Mellon, East Orange, N. J. METHOD OF AND AIPABATUS FOR GONTINUoUB CASTING. Patent dated May 18, 1915. Disclaimer filed July 18,

1916, by the essignee, Continuous Casting Corporation.

Enters this disclaimer To that. part of the claim in said specification which is in the following words,

to wit:

26. In a. casting machine, a. frame, parallel guides running through said frame, means to cool some of said guides, and means to exert pressure upon said guides.

[Oflicial Gazette, August 1, 1916.] 

